MP’s remark shows his mindset: Sapna

Sushil Manav

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 26

Haryanvi dancer Sapna Choudhary on Tuesday retaliated to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Ashwini Kumar Chopra’s “thumkewali” remark, saying it only reflected the senior leader’s mindset.

“What he said shows his mindset. I am an artiste. I am focused on my job. He is a senior person, so I will not ask for his apology. But since he made ‘thumkewali’ remark for me, he must be watching my dances. I would like to thank him for watching me,” Sapna said today when contacted for her comments on Chopra’s remarks.

Chopra, the MP from Karnal, had also took a jibe at Congress over reports that the Haryanvi dancer went to meet UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and could campaign for her party in the upcoming parliamentary polls.

The BJP leader had said that the Congress already had members who danced and that was enough.

He went on to add that the party must decide whether it wanted to win elections or wanted to dance.

The remarks came after Sapna visited the AICC headquarters in Delhi to meet Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on Friday.

She was, however, unable to meet the two Congress leaders and she claimed that the appointment had been rescheduled.

Emerging out of the AICC headquarters, Sapna had told media that she liked the Congress and Sonia Gandhi and was willing to work for the party during the elections. On being asked if she would join politics, Choudhary replied that she had no plans of doing so.

Popular in the hinterland of Haryana for her dances, Sapna had grabbed national-level popularity after she participated in Salman Khan’s Big Boss season 11. She has a huge fan following in Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Sapna made her Bollywood debut with the song “Hatt Ja Tau” in the recent movie “Veerey ki Wedding”. She was also seen shaking a leg in “Laado 2” and has shot for “Naanu ki Jaanu” with actor Abhay Deol.

Rajiv Jain, media advisor to Haryana CM, said the party had already distanced itself from Chopra’s controversial remarks.

Cong MLA seeks apology

Karnal: Accusing the Karnal Member of Parliament Ashwini Chopra of insulting women with his derogatory remarks over Haryanvi dancer Sapna Chaudhary after her meeting with Sonia Gandhi, two-time former MLA Sumita Singh has demanded an apology from the MP.

She said Chopra had insulted the women with his remark and he should apologise for it.

Chopra had reportedly said on being asked about Chaudhary’s meeting with Sonia Gandhi that the Congress must decide what was more important to it, winning elections or “thumkas” two days ago during his visit.

Singh said it showed the narrow mindset of the MP who always wanted to remain in limelight with such statements. His remarks showed the mentality of the BJP towards women and that their slogan “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” was just an eyewash.

She said the Congress would not tolerate such kind of insult and would protest if the MP does not take his statement back.